CHAPTER 676: CHAPTER 671: LONG-STANDING DOUBTS

Mountains, rivers, deserts, cities...

In the midst of the Spell Costate was chanting loudly.

The carriage surged straight forward, then plunged into the spaces ahead that distorted the field of vision.

The next second.

A confusing jumble of silhouettes flew swiftly past both sides of the carriage.

With Ronald’s exceptional vision, he could clearly discern from these chaotic scenes the different locations the carriage was traversing. The road, squeezed in between the shifting seams of the world, seemed at that moment to connect an endless array of places, and the carriage drove through such locales.

Then, indescribable situations continued to emerge.

Normally, the carriage would inevitably be completely destroyed at some point due to sudden changes in the environment amidst such complex and varied scenes.

Yet what Ronald experienced now was entirely different.

He felt no Magic Power at all; Costate simply blindfolded the horses and confidently kept the carriage moving forward. She repeatedly seized the most suitable opportunities, steering the two-person carriage through each peril amidst ceaseless changes.

"..."

What kind of Spell was this maid using?

Ronald couldn’t help but feel puzzled, but it seemed improper to directly interrupt her at the moment.

He simply experienced this rare spectacle.

The two continued ahead through the bizarre environment for about two minutes.

Finally, the carriage returned to solid ground with a slight jolt.

Snap—

As the carriage calmed down, the rapidly shifting scenes on both sides promptly stabilized.

Ronald looked around.

This place wasn’t covered with a thick layer of snow like the surroundings of Springs; instead, it was a wilderness path by a vast forest.

It was obvious.

Having progressed through the gaps in space for so long, their current location was completely far from their initial starting point.

It was at this time that the maid in front, still sitting at the driving seat, spoke:

"Sir, please forgive me for making a judgment on my own."

"The situation was urgent just now."

Costate’s words conveyed a clear apology. In her view, making decisions without due notice to Ronald was absolutely an act of incompetence on her part.

Ronald naturally waved his hand generously:

"It’s alright, ensuring safety in that situation was the best we could hope for."

"At least we are both unscathed now."

"..."

While responding to Costate, Ronald also activated the ability of "Bradshaw’s Railway Guide." Their current location immediately appeared in Ronald’s mind—

Buso Town, eastern woodland path.

"..."

Ronald looked puzzled.

This was too much of a coincidence!

He had heard of this town, Buso, located nearby Berengaria. Their journey through the spatial gaps hadn’t taken them away from their target; rather, it had significantly reduced their travel distance!

At this moment, Ronald couldn’t help but think of the Spell Costate had chanted earlier.

And everything they had experienced during their passage.

Was this coincidence a mere stroke of luck or the result of this maid’s Spell?

Ronald felt curious.

However, before he could ask, Costate in front, checking on the horses, seemed to sense his thoughts and took the initiative to explain:

"Sir, since you can know our current position through the original text, you must be questioning now."

"Please allow me to explain."

Ronald nodded slightly: "I am indeed curious."

Costate then continued:

"My Spell can interfere with probabilities. Just now, to ensure that our return journey wouldn’t be too affected, I used this ability."

"..."

Interfering with probabilities!

Upon hearing the maid’s explanation, Ronald immediately recalled an incident he had experienced within the Ginkgo Leaf Commerce Alliance.

Those people who died inexplicably, as if entangled by the grim reaper, weren’t they a perfect match for Costate’s abilities?

And the origin of everything at that time

was precisely when the Commerce Alliance sent people to explore the ancestral home of Adler.

"..."

Ronald’s gaze darkened, and he immediately asked,

"Costate, did you use this spell on the people who went to the Adler Manor and then caused subsequent visitors to chain-die?"

"..."

Standing near the horses, Costate’s body paused.

Having previously understood Ronald’s memories, she certainly grasped what he meant and knew that her answer would determine the outcome of their current relationship.

Thereupon, Costate solemnly turned around and slightly bent her knee in a curtsy to Ronald,

"Sir, the intelligence you received is one-sided."

"The individuals from the commercial body discovered something in the estate they should not have found and then harbored covetous thoughts. My actions were merely a punishment for this group of thieves blinded by greed, followed by a warning."

Ronald wasn’t going to be persuaded by such a simple explanation.

Recalling the appearance of the Casters before their death and the coldness in the Magic Power when Costate healed him, he remained quite guarded.

"I cannot trust merely your side of the story."

"..."

"Sir, I understand," the maid expressed no negative emotions towards Ronald’s wariness. Instead, she stepped forward and leaned her body towards Ronald, "If so, please, sir, have a look at my memories."

"..."

Costate’s invitation was very clear.

Under these circumstances, Ronald didn’t hesitate much and simply placed his hand on the maid’s forehead.

Swoosh—

In an instant, Costate’s previous experiences flooded into his mind.

"Platinum, come and see what this is?"

"An original text! Is this really the original text?"

"But this is Mr. Ronald’s manor, are we really okay with this?"

"Screw it! Cage, if we can become holders of an original text, do we even need to care about the success of this mission?"

"Lator, what about this woman?"

"If it weren’t for this mission, would you have a chance to engage with such a woman in many lifetimes, do I need to say more?"

"Ah!!"

"Help—"

"Woman, what have you done to me?"

"My memories, stop..."

"..."

The reading of memories slowly ended.

Ronald removed his hand from Costate’s forehead and looked at the maid in front of him with a very complex gaze.

Now things were clear.

The investigators sent by Greenwich, since they strictly adhered to the rules, left Costate with no reason to act against them.

But that wasn’t the case with the people sent by the Commercial Body.

These people were capable, but almost utterly lacked the ability to resist greed. After committing highly reprehensible acts, they were memory-wiped by Costate and turned into ’bombs’ thrown back.

Regarding the present...

Now that one had read Ronald’s memories and Ronald had read hers, a kind of unprecedented, intimate contact, he felt there might have been a change in their relationship.

"..."

Ultimately, Ronald shook his head and then turned and returned to his seat in the carriage,

"Alright, let’s continue our journey."

Costate responded with the same gentle tone:

"Yes, sir."